Subject: Re: POST ON APRIL FOOL'S DAY
From: "Submissions for ARC" <[email-masked]>
To: "DAVID DRAKE" <[email-masked]>
Date: Sun, 13 Mar 2011 13:37:29 -0700

Hi,
I just wanted to let you know your article went on ARC today.  Thanks again for sending it in.

Steve Bamford
ARC Air - Aircraft Resource Center
http://www.arcair.com

Live like there is no tomorrow;
Love like you've never been hurt.
Work like you don't need the money.
Dance like nobody's watching.
Sing like nobody's listening.
Live like it's Heaven on Earth.

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: DAVID DRAKE 
  To: [email-masked] 
  Sent: Monday, February 28, 2011 1:35 PM
  Subject: POST ON APRIL FOOL'S DAY

  1/72 Revell (ex-Matchbox) Noorduyn Norseman AL.1 

  by Kitbasher
  --------------------

        Steve Bamford will insert full sized version of photo 01.jpg here  

  At the end of the Second World War, the RAF's Air Observation Post squadrons were spread across the globe. Most were equipped with small Austers of various marks - excellent spotting platforms for the Army but limited in load carrying capability and extremely basic - albeit functional - aircraft.  Although the RAF was equipped with numerous communications types, none of these were as suitable or as rugged as, for example, the Noorduyn UC-64 (as used by the Americans during the war) to provide in-theatre transport for British Army personnel.
  So the answer was to order Norsemen of their own.  What to do, though - take used, ex-US examples (a cheap and attractive option, given the parlous state of the British Treasury in the late 40s), or order new ones from Canada that would last much longer?  The latter option was chosen - a popular decision given Canada's unflinching support for Britain during the war.
  So it was that 24 Norsemen were purchased and designated 'Norsemen CC.1', the first entering service with 657 Sqn in 1947.  657 was the only full squadron to equip with the type (additionally acting as the Norseman Operational Training Unit), the remainder being operated by numerous Flights around the world.

        Steve Bamford will insert full sized version of photo 02.jpg here  

  Unsurprisingly, the Norseman proved to be a rugged, reliable aircraft and saw notable service in support of the British Army during the Korean War, the Malayan Emergency and in Kenya during the Mau Mau uprising.  With the formation of the Army Air Corps in September 1957, the RAF transferred its remaining Norsemen to the Army, when they were redsignated 'Norseman AL.1'.  Mindful of the Norseman's utility and the need to preserve the capability it represented, the Army Air Corps sought to replace the type and again looked to Canada for the answer - this time in the shape of the De Havilland Canada DHC-2 Beaver.  Beaver AL.1s replaced Norsemen in the early 1960s, after which most of the Norsemen were scrapped.  
  Fortunately one was preserved (VX113 formerly of 651 Sqn), and is currently held in the reserve collection of the Museum of Army Flying at the Army Air Corps Centre, Middle Wallop, Hampshire.

  Model built straight out of the box, markings from Xtradecal sheet X720401 

  Kitbasher

  Steve - please note that the photo numbering is correct - 03 is the first, 04 the second, etc. 

------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  From: Steve Bamford ARC <[email-masked]>
  To: DAVID DRAKE <[email-masked]>
  Sent: Monday, 28 February, 2011 7:19:23
  Subject: Re: APRIL FOOL'S SUBMISSION

  Hi Dave,
  This sounds like a great article for April Fools day.  Send it in the usual way and use the subject line  Post on April Fools day.

  Steve Bamford
  ARC Air - Aircraft Resource Center
  http://www.arcair.com

  Live like there is no tomorrow;
  Love like you've never been hurt.
  Work like you don't need the money.
  Dance like nobody's watching.
  Sing like nobody's listening.
  Live like it's Heaven on Earth.

    ----- Original Message ----- 
    From: DAVID DRAKE 
    To: [email-masked] 
    Sent: Sunday, February 27, 2011 10:37 AM
    Subject: APRIL FOOL'S SUBMISSION

    Hi steve,

    I've subbitted the odd item to ARC in the past - are you interested in a 'what if' British Army Noorduyn Norseman for 1 April - played straight of course ('one of the lesser-known types to see British military service)?  If so, should I submit using the 'want it to appear on a certain date' facility, or would you want it in a different format.

    regards,

    Dave